Trailing behind her, Fuzen noticed she was quite tall for women around here, at least a couple of inches taller compared to Tsunade. While she didn't have the massive breasts like Tsunade, Akata did have a fantastic ass. It was tight and perky, it fit her athletic frame, yet it still remained enough plumpness to allow an excellent bounce if given a light slap. The way her hips and long blond hair moved in sync from side to side, was almost hypnotic to him.

"I can feel you looking," Akata reprimanded.

The Hokage had briefed her on Fuzen's character, but she didn't think it'd be this severe.

"Isn't it common sense to look out for what's in front of you? Like, how else are you supposed to avoid collisions and such?"

"Shameless!" She threw another quick kunai, this time aiming for his private parts.

Catching it the same way as last previous, he put in his pouch, expanding his collection. "There's no reason to get personal." He complained, not appreciating the attempt on his manhood.

He was all for strongwilled women, yet Akata's domineering attitude made him want to spank that tight ass and hear her whimper as he fucked her from behind.

Stopping in front of another door, Akata knocked and made the two of them wait outside. Hearing steps approach, the door was opened by an old man with greying hair wearing an owl-mask.

"How've you been dearest? I assumed you'd forgotten about me, decrepit as I am." He made fun of his increasing age and physically declining state.

"How could I ever possibly forget you Tairo? I've just been too busy lately." Akata explained herself. "However, this time I've brought a guest," and pulled Fuzen forward, showcasing the newest addition to her team.

"Oh, he's a young one, isn't he..." The old Anbu shook his head in amazement. "Well, come in, I can guess what you're here for. You young man, go take a seat over there!" He pointed to a tattoo chair that judging by wear and tear was at least the same age as himself, if not older.

The chair issued a loud creak of dissatisfaction when Fuzen jumped onto it. Looking around the room, he found a surprising number of scrolls and books lining the shelves. "So you're like the resident tattoo artist and mascot around here?"

The numerous symbols and patterns tattooed down the length of his arms were difficult to avoid noticing.

Preparing a tray with Tebori equipment, the elderly Anbu sat on a round swivel chair and rolled over to Fuzen's side.

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"Those, among other things. I dabble in a bit of it all. Mostly fuinjutsu and medical ninjutsu nowadays." Under an intense exam light, Tairo disinfected Fuzen's shoulder and outlined the Anbu's signature spiral tattoo.

Joining them, Akata pulled over a chair and straddled it in time to watch Tairo get started.

"I remember the time I got mine." She looked down at her own. "It hurts a bit, however, the tattoo will adjust as you grow older."

She was right, it did hurt. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough to make it uncomfortable.

"What are you doing? I can feel you... messing with something inside me."

"I'm connecting the tattoo to your chakra pathway system. That way it can't be faked, and as your squad leader explained, it'll allow the tattoo to grow as you do."

Fuzen watched the methodic movements of Tairo. "That's quite smart, who thought of this?"

"Thank you, I developed this technique. When the other villages started sending shinobi carrying our signature mark we had to find some way to differentiate the real ones from the fakes."

"Have you thought of other uses?"

"I've theorized a couple of things, but nothing conclusive yet. I would love to –"

"Don't get him started, please! He won't ever stop if you show interest." Akata shook her head.

"Hmpf! Doesn't matter. Some other time perhaps?"

"I'll make sure to swing by when I have the extra time," he nodded in appreciation.

Using a wooden rod attached with needles dipped in ink, Tairo continued to stab his shoulder until it finished. Wiping off the excess ink, he took hold of a handheld mirror and showed Fuzen the final product.

"Mine's black?"

"Due to your dark skin, I had to use black ink instead of the usual red. Your skin wouldn't show the red colour very well." Having shown the tattoo, Tairo put down the mirror and went over to a sink to clean his equipment.

Standing from her chair, Akata walked over to inspect the tattoo. "I'll make sure to bring you one of the saké bottles when we return. Let's go Gaijin!" She commanded.

Fuzen shrugged his shoulders and moved to follow. "Later, Tairo."

Appearing to be in a hurry, Akata provided him with a quick guided tour of the Anbu Headquarters. Showing him the dinner area, the different types of training halls, and the library containing an assortment of freely available jutsus and world knowledge.

The network of interconnected tunnels and spaces hidden inside the Hokage Rock was impressive, and unless a member of the Anbu or a high ranking individual within the Land of Fire you'd never know it existed.

On the last part of the tour, as she displayed one of the available briefing rooms, a winded Anbu barged in and hurried to stand by Akata's side.

Fuzen's sharp senses allowed him to hear bit and pieces of the relayed information that was whispered into her ear, and from what he could tell the circumstances of their mission just changed.

Hearing the complete message, she nodded to herself and calmly evaluated the newest intelligence.

"Call in the rest of the team and meet us at the main gate," she instructed the Anbu who'd just joined them.

"Yes, Squad Leader!" And he left to execute Akata's order.

She turned her attention back to Fuzen who'd been waiting in silence. "Our mission parameters have changed, and we need to deploy immediately."

"Aye aye," he performed a mock salute.

"My team and I specialize in assassination and assault so get your mind straight. Obey my orders, don't hesitate, and if you care about that –" She gestured toward his privates. "Don't get any of us killed."

Without further comments, she set off running.